A Sign Of Spring………

As some of you know, I really don’t love the snow. Nice to see big fat fluffy snowflakes falling; pretty as a picture to look at from the warmth and safety of my kitchen; I don’t mind shoveling it to be honest, it’s quite satisfying in a weird sort of way; I even like playing in it, and can throw a mean snowball with the best of them; but driving in it? No thank you. No Siree, No Way. It’s just my is my achilles heel.

It doesn’t matter how much or little there is, just the thought of getting in my car and driving up my steep driveway and then down the steep hill which I live at the top of, sends my little heart racing with palpitations of fear.

It hasn’t even been that bad a Winter for us, but somehow these last two snow events have left me shaken rather than stirred.

Last night was the final straw. My weather sources (and believe me, I have many!) told me that the serious snow wasn’t coming until later on in the evening, so I wasn’t worried that I had to get my daughter to rehearsal by 7pm. However, as I sat in my kitchen watching the earlier referred to big fat fluffy flakes falling, I began to get nervous. I had no choice but to get in my very weather capable, four wheel drive Landrover and brave the elements. Yes, there was less than an inch at this point, but it was a very slippery, slidey inch! All went well, basically because I was driving slow enough to be overtaken by two fast moving snails, and I made it down all the hills and back up them all again. I turned into our driveway and had a brief conversation with myself about whether to park at the top and clear the drive, or risk it and head down.

So much against my better judgment, but feeling giddy with the excitement of having arrived home safely, I made the wrong choice, and took my foot off the brake.

As the car gathered momentum I slammed my foot on the brake and yes, the car began to skid and slide down the steep incline. With adrenaline coursing through my veins, I pressed the brake harder and in a moment of bravery pulled on the handbrake too!!! (Bear in mind that I was doing all of 0.5 mph at this point!) Thankfully the car came to a stop inches from the first of many pine trees which line my driveway without hitting anything. I slowly took my shaking foot off the brake and crept out of the car, tiptoeing quietly away through the snow back to the safety of my kitchen. Several hot strong cups of tea later, I went back out and cleared the driveway and waited patiently for my dear long suffering husband to come home and rescue me!

So, when I awoke this morning and saw freezing rain and snow falling from the sky, I decided I had just had enough. I made myself a fresh, bright juice to inspire me that Spring is really and truly around the corner. It was the color of golden crocuses, or pale daffodils, and tasted of the freshness and sweetness of Spring.

I closed my eyes to the cold white landscape outside my window, turned up the heat, and dreamed of the warm sunny days not far away. Why don’t you try it and see if it helps?!

Spring Sipper

2 Oranges

1/2 long cucumber

2 Carrots

1 stick Celery

Peel the oranges, and then put everything through the juicer. You’ll get a frothy, light, refreshing juice which will also give you Beta-carotene, folic acid, vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, sodium and sulphur!!!